Thursday of Lent 1

Through Jesus’ Blood and Merit - Lutheran Service Book #746

Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 1:4-6

Through Jesus’ blood and merit I am at peace with God,

What, then, can daunt my spirit, However dark my road?

My courage shall not fail me. For God is on my side,

Though hell itself assail me, Its rage I may deride.

Announcing the birth of Jesus, the angels sang “on earth peace ...” -Luke 2:14. Paul declares “... since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” -Romans 5:1 God has reconciled us to Himself, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” -Colossians 1:20 The Christian message is called, “the gospel of peace.” -Ephesians 6:15 “the good news of peace through Jesus Christ,” -Acts 10:36 and, simply, “peace.” -Ephesians 2:17

What God did in the death of His Son was to rob sin of its power. Because Jesus has died, bearing our sin, Satan can never again accuse. God nailed all that stood against us to the cross of Jesus. (Colossians 2:14) He turned His back on Jesus. (Matthew 27:46), Never again will He turn His back on those reconciled to Him through the blood of Jesus.

Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit, that in our daily need, and especially in all times of temptation , we may seek Your help and , by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promise; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.[1]

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[1] Lutheran Service Book, Collect in times of temptation; © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis